I'm Blue

As Avery still felt a need to patrol, Dei had opted to sit at his beloved’s bedside, scrolling on her phone.  This pretty little witch was to be the newest part of her family, and as Avery seemed to like her, she was willing to give the girl a chance.   At first glance she seemed rather weak and fragile, but the werewolf didn’t want to judge too harshly, glancing over at her occasionally until she noticed the girl waking up.  “Hey.  You’re awake.”

Avery traced a thumb over a bruised cheekbone, barely touching the young female. “You are injured.” he protested, clearly grumpy at the very idea of the little Witch having sustained any wound.  With great care he touched his cheek to hers and flicked his tongue to lick her skin. The medicine tasted terrible so he didn’t lick her again. “We will find our own den after this. Once everyone is back and safe. You and your coven can ward it … somewhere we can be safe. Where I can keep you safe.” he whispered. He didn’t mention his concerns than this entire lockdown would end in a bloodthirsty battle. He didn’t want to worry her. He would get her out or die trying. Then he would take her to the mountains where she could heal in peace and the Wolves would learn to live with a little Witch in their midst. 

If she hadn’t been hurt she would have jumped out of her skin when she felt the slippery wetness that could only be a tongue. Hurt as she was, though, she could only yelp in surprise. “My dad separated from our coven when he married my stepmom, but I’ve met a few witches I can ask to help with that.” Latching on to plans seemed to calm him down, something she was desperate to do. Her good arm reached out and fumbled for his hand. “Once we have the ceremony we’ll move out of the hotel. We’ll have to go to Ikea... What kind of wedding do you want? Do you know if I’m allowed to have something to drink?” 

“As you wish little bunny.” Avery murmured. “Your shoulder?” He leaned forward to sniff the spot the medicine scent made him sneeze. Well that did explain why he hadn’t heard from Trevor. the Alpha must have been hunting his very own bunny and the ones who did her harm. Avery ran his fingertips over her cheek. “Posie is still missing, along with some others….” he replied vaguely, although to be honest he didn’t know - having spent most of his time hovering over her or checking on those who were important to him, “I am sorry I was not there to protect you Blue. I won’t let you down again. I promise you.” Avery felt the rare but still unpalatable taste of failure. He did not like to let down those he had pledged himself to and he had assured her of his protection and asked her to trust his strength. On the first opportunity he had not been there when she needed him. 

The giggle at his sneezing died when he told her the news. Nothing they’d done had helped. She shut her eyes against the burning of tears, forcing herself to believe everyone missing was alright, that they’d be home soon. “What do you mean let me down? I can’t imagine you’d ever do that.” Someone who took his responsibilities as seriously as her wolf just wasn’t capable of letting her down. Very few people were, as it turned out. Still, when she gathered up the courage to open her eyes again she could see the upset plain on his face. “Avery. It’s okay. I’m okay.” 

Avery stepped forward, brushing a hand over the top of Blue’s dark head. “I am here little Witch. Settle yourself. I am not harmed but we cannot say the same about you.” He leaned in and grumbled softly.  “Be still my bunny. I need to keep you safe. You must stay here.” He leaned in to brush his cheek against hers. “How do you feel? How are you wounded?”

“I like bunny better than witch.” She mumbled as close to grumpy as she could get. Easier to pretend he liked her that way. There was a throbbing in her shoulder but at least she didn’t let him down; at least she proved she wouldn’t be a complete burden. Hopefully. “My shoulder is, ah, well I’m sure the doctors are doing their best, but it hurts. Is Posie back?” 

@flowcrsgone

Avery was livid but not at the Council, his assigned mate or anyone else. He was furious with himself. He had been taking it slow, given the small female her space and trying to lure her. This is what he got for going against his natural instinct. The female was injured and he had not been there to offer her protection. It was the one thing he offered, the one thing he did well and he had failed her completely. He was deeply ashamed. He hated that feeling. He crouched by her bed, trying hard not to growl as the healers continued to tend to her. They tried to shoo him away but the best he would offer was to give them room to work. He had to see her eyes open again.

Wards, they needed protective wards. There were so many though, and her fingers kept getting stuck in the air, stuck stuck stuck. Cool pain shot through her right arm as she tried to form a different a different spell, fingers twitching against something soft at the effort. Stuck, always stuck... In fabric? Bedsheets. The sounds of fighting had been swapped for machines beeping. Disoriented, her eyes snapped open, blinking a few times to focus on the strange room. “Avery! Are you hurt?” Her voice was thick with sleep, but she started to push herself up to examine him.